Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water-Chapter 350: The First Steps Home

Lassim gently waved goodbye as Dorian ushered the company representatives out the door, their voices fading as they made their way down the hall. The room settled into a quiet calm.

Dorian returned after a few minutes and lingered near the doorway, his expression thoughtful as he faced Lassim as he spoke. "That went about as well as I could’ve hoped. Now, we’ve got one last hurdle before everything is officially settled."

He moved toward his desk, flipping through a folder of documents. "The Office of Mineral Affairs," he continued. "I’ll need to meet with one of the nobles there to finalize your Astrium Veinstone contract. It’s mostly just a formality at this point, and I’d send one of my assistants to handle it, but I need to make sure everything is properly ratified, so I’ll do it myself."

Lassim nodded, "I wouldn’t know what to do, so I’ll leave that to you. Thanks."

Dorian smiled wryly, setting the folder down. "You’ve done enough already. This is the easy part—well, easy compared to what you pulled off in that arena."

Lassim added with a faint smirk, "Ah, before you head off, there’s something I think you might’ve forgotten?"

"Forgotten?" Dorian blinked, confused for a moment before realization dawned. "Oh. You mean the bet—"

"Double the Astrium Veinstone," Lassim said, interrupting him. "Eno and Rlyis were very clear about that. No haggling, no excuses."

Dorian let out a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "You’ve got a sharp memory, I’ll give you that. I was hoping you’d forget in all the celebration, and gifts, but don’t worry. I’m a man of my word. Once the first batch is mined and ready, I’ll make sure everything is doubled for your sect. If the Office of Mineral Affairs gives me any grief, I’ll find a way to make it happen. Happy?"

"Yeah, but," Lassim replied. "Eno and Rlyis will be happier, I’m sure."

Dorian couldn’t help but chuckle despite himself. "Yeah, those two. Alright, consider it done. Double the Astrium Veinstone, no excuses. I’ll put it in the paperwork when I get to the Office of Mineral Affairs."

"Good," Lassim said with a small head nod, "I trust you’ll take care of it."

Dorian waved a hand dismissively, his grin widening. "You’ll learn to trust me for many future deals as well, I hope. Besides, after what you did today, I’d look like a fool if I didn’t keep my word."

Lassim glanced toward the doorway. "If there’s nothing else, I think I’ll be on my way."

"You’re not sticking around to celebrate?" Dorian asked, his tone half-teasing. "You’ve got half the city talking about you. It’s not every day someone takes down the Steel Snake Sect and saves dozens of companies in one go. I’m sure you could get free meals anywhere in the city for the next week, if you wanted."

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Lassim’s gaze shifted to the city streets on their elevated platforms visible through the window. "There’s still a lot I need to take care of and coming all the way to the Veridian Continent interrupted my training, so it’s best I head back."

Dorian sighed, "Alright, well, I’ll let you go. Just keep your communication disc handy—I’ll need to update you once the first shipment is on its way."

"I’ll probably leave that to Eno, so please make sure he’s the first one you inform," Lassim said, stepping toward the door.

Dorian nodded and followed him out, pausing in the hallway. His voice softened as he spoke. "Thanks again, Lassim. For everything."

Lassim offered a faint smile, his gently spiraling, storm-filled, eyes meeting Dorian’s. "I just did what I felt was right."

With that, the two parted ways. Dorian headed toward the administrative section of the city to handle the contract formalities, while Lassim made his way toward the open streets of Starpoint.

The air was alive with chatter as merchants, workers, and citizens alike shared stories of the duel. Everywhere he went, Lassim could hear whispers of his name. Vendors called out offers of celebratory discounts while children mimicked Lassim’s movements, pretending to swing invisible halberds.

He didn’t linger long.

With a simple leap and subtle urging of his mana, Lassim pushed off the ground, his figure ascending into a low flight in the sky above the city. He allowed his thoughts to drift inward.

"[Mari. Zaphy,]" he thought towards his inner heart world.

The calm, watery and maternal voice of Mari replied first. "[Yes, child? What’s on your mind?]"

Zaphy’s cheerful chirp was heard next. "[Are we flying back to the storm?!]"

Lassim huffed a quiet laugh. "Well, I was thinking. What do you think about us not going directly back to the Southern Continent just yet? There’s a stop I think we should make first and I’d like to introduce you both to some important people."

"[Oh!]" Zaphy chirped, her tone curious. "[Where?]"

"[Swallowtail Mountain City,]" Lassim replied, a faint warmth creeping into his otherwise steady mental voice. "[My home. It’s been nearly a decade since I left, and I think it’s time I returned. Just for a day or two.]"

Mari’s voice carried a note of approval. "[A wise decision. Introducing us to your roots and those who shaped you will deepen our understanding of one another.]"

Zaphy chirped excitedly. "[We get to meet your parents?! Oh! Oh! What are they like? Do they have cool elemental companions like us?]"

Lassim’s lips quirked in a faint smile. "They do. My father’s companion is a fire phoenix. It’s said to burn as brightly as the sun itself. I’ve never actually seen it, though—at least not fully manifested. The stories about it are... legendary."

Zaphy chirped louder. "[A fire phoenix?! That’s amazing! Do you think I’ll get to meet it? Oh! What about your mom’s companion?]"

Lassim paused for a moment, his thoughts clouded. "[My mother is a nature elementalist, like many in her family. But as for her companion... I can’t remember ever seeing it. Maybe I was too young, or maybe she’s never needed to call on it. Either way, it’ll be a first for me too if we meet her companion.]"

Mari’s tone turned thoughtful. "[It’s good that we’ll have this opportunity, child. Family carries a power of its own—it’s the same as us.]"

"[Exactly. But, It’s not just about seeing them again, though,]" Lassim admitted, "[I also need to see what the next step is in my cultivation. Though, we’ve been away from the Tempest’s Cradle for over a week now, and my progress toward Spirit Transcendence has completely stalled, I need information for what’s ahead.]"

He continued, "[I don’t entirely know what to do as we near peak Spirit Ascension,]" Lassim paused mid-air as he neared the exit gates of Starpoint City. "[I know it involves replacing the constellation with that halo we’ve seen. The specifics, however, are... well. I’ve got no idea. I’ll need to research it but maybe my parents or someone in the family might know. Though, last I saw my father he was still Spirit Ascension. I’m not sure what level though. If that doesn’t work, it’s not too far from the Myriad Spirit City and I can probably speak to the old Headmaster. It’d be nice to check in with Sirium at the Military Academy too if we go. It’s not too far.]"

Zaphy chirped brightly, "[You’ll figure it out, Brother! You’re the smartest, the fastest, and you’ve got us to help!]"

Lassim chuckled softly. "[Thanks, Zaphy. Plus, you might get to see another fight between my dad and I. I’ve always wanted to see how strong the Iron Marquis really is. It should be fun.]"

"[Yay! I’ll show that pesky phoenix a thing or too as well! Let me at ’em!]" Zaphy replied as she zipped around his inner heart world.

Lassim and Mari just chuckled at her enthusiasm as he waved goodbye to the guards that seemed a bit too happy to see him go. Lassim glanced toward the horizon, "[ Well, let’s head home—To Swallowtail Mountain City!]"

Lassim began activating [Storm’s Dance] as the Sapphire River stretched far in front of him. The path towards the Aurora kingdom was long, but it’s position on the Veridian continent was near the exact center of the landmass.

Back then, he’d only taken a few months on foot—despite the 5 years stuck in Khaalseru’s realm—to traverse it. However, now, he had his spatially attuned movement technique and even crossed the entirety of the southern continent in a single day. It should only take a few hours at his estimation.

Each step folded space around him, propelling him forward at an incredible pace. The Veridian Continent’s lush landscapes blurred below, the distant mountains and sprawling forests shifting like waves along a beach—constantly shifting as he passed.

Unbeknownst to Lassim, a figure clad in dark and silver robes emerged from the shadows of Starpoint City’s outskirts at the same time as he’d floated past the city guards. The senior brother of the Steel Snake Sect, his massive bastard sword strapped across his back, watched Lassim’s retreating form just moments before he’d activated [Storm’s Dance].

"That boy…" he muttered, a faint sneer twisting his lips. "You won’t slip away so easily."

With a surge of his Spirit Mystic stage, level 4 cultivation, the elder launched himself into the air, his movement technique leaving streaks of silver, metallic mana in his wake and closing the gap with what he believed to be impressive speed.

Lassim was still caught up in his conversation and had no idea that the pursuer headed his way as Lassim took his first step.

But Lassim’s [Storm’s Dance] was forever going to be unmatched in this universe, unless another spatial elemental spirit warrior showed themselves. Each step he took folded space so efficiently and rapidly that the distance between them instantly grew insurmountable.

"What the…" the elder growled, his voice barely audible over the rushing wind as he sped up to catch him. "How is he this fast?"

With the full power of his cultivation roaring outwards, scaring many of the local citizens within distance of Starpoint City and all of the local wildlife, the sharp spiritual pressure billowed outwards from him. It felt like his blade was held to the necks of everyone and every animal he passed, causing many to freeze in shock and terror.

Despite this, no matter how hard he pushed himself, the elder’s attempts to close the distance were futile. Lassim’s figure became a mere speck on the horizon before vanishing entirely, leaving the elder floating mid-air, seething.

"He didn’t even notice I was following him," he muttered darkly, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "That brat... Just who are you, Lassim Rohese Vanthar? You’re clearly two stages beneath me…"

As the elder turned back toward Starpoint City, a plan began to form in his mind. "I need to know more about him. His weaknesses, his allies... I won’t let this humiliation go unanswered. Yet, we must do this smart. I’m not quite strong enough to face that Sect Master now that he’s a Spirit Prince. If he dotes on his Personal Disciple… It could be the end for my Steel Snake Sect. Getting the ancestor involved when he’s still recovering from that Abyssal demon attack wouldn’t be wise… for now."

His figure descended back toward the city, ignoring the looks of terror and people scurrying away from him as he made his way towards the Steel Snake Sect’s residence within the city.

Far ahead, Lassim remained oblivious to the attempted pursuit. His thoughts were solely focused on his destination. The city of his childhood awaited.